Originally called Titusville, Kent was eventually renamed for Kent County in England. It was incorporated on May 28, 1890 with a population of 793. During the 1880s hops production was a major source of income in Kent. The hops industry had become prominent in the Puget Sound region after an aphid infestation affected hops crops in Europe. After the turn of the 20th century the area turned to dairy farming and was home to a Carnation Condensed Milk plant.